What about soaking Nuts?

[glcoop60]

I see in a lot of recipes that it calls for almonds, soaked or some other nut soaked. Sometimes it dosn't say for how long. I'm somewhat new to this (18 Days), and I don't understand a few things. I know that sometimes you need to soften the nuts. Is there any advantage to soaking? :confused:

[tvillemom]

Soaking releases the enzymes that are in the nut. These enzymes can make it hard to digest the nut. The nut with the most enzymes (from my understanding) is the almond. Some nuts don't have that many, and can be digested fairly easily (like cashews and walnuts) However, I have soaked my walnuts and dehydrated them (to get the crunch back) and I like them better that way.
Yes, soaking, in a sense, makes the nut healthier for you. I usually soak almonds overnight, or 8 hours. Walnuts overnight (because it's easier) or 4 hours....
Does that help? Others may chime in and give their opinion....but that's mine.
Good luck...and welcome to the board.
Wendi

[glcoop60]

Soaking releases the enzymes that are in the nut. These enzymes can make it hard to digest the nut. The nut with the most enzymes (from my understanding) is the almond. Some nuts don't have that many, and can be digested fairly easily (like cashews and walnuts) However, I have soaked my walnuts and dehydrated them (to get the crunch back) and I like them better that way.
Yes, soaking, in a sense, makes the nut healthier for you. I usually soak almonds overnight, or 8 hours. Walnuts overnight (because it's easier) or 4 hours....
Does that help? Others may chime in and give their opinion....but that's mine.
Good luck...and welcome to the board.
Wendi
Thanks alot. This does help. I am going to give it a try and see how it works. I really hope to gain alot from going raw. I am willing to try new things and this is one of them. Thanks again for your advise and the welcome.
Coop :)

[trinity082482]

I've always eaten raw nuts..
How do you tell if your not digesting them well?
:o
My body isn't acting differently or anything. :)

[luckitri]

Yes, I have yet to do anything to my nuts. I have read here that some of them have toxins in the skins as well - so they like to soak them to get that off. If I am having a reaction I am unaware of it. Maybe after I finally get Alissa's book and DVD I won't feel so overwhelmed by all of this. I hear (read) that she makes it all seem quick and easy. I am overwhelmed by the prices of nuts in the stores and now a local (to me) supermarket is selling "raw" nuts. There has also been mention on here that many nuts are not truly raw because heat is used to crack the shell to get them out. Well the price of the raw nuts is overwhelming to me.

[veganman]

Hi Glcoop60 -

Nuts have enzyme inhibitors that nature included to keep them from sprouting too soon. Soaking releases the inhibitors so that your body has access to the enzymes.

Hope this helps.